The 1998 Volkswagen Jetta has 204 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are visibility and electrical system. Owners most often flag electrical problems (sensors, windows, general gremlins): very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 18 Jetta model years we track, complaint volume runs from 35 (2024) to 1,750 (2010). With 204 complaints, the 1998 Jetta sits belowthe model's median of 526.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
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Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMEN…
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Campaign 03V156000CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L VR6 ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE PUB…
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Campaign 02V026000ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
Owners express a deeply divided sentiment toward this generation. Many praise the 2.0L engine as "hyper reliable" and a "tank," and some report high-mileage examples (250,000+ miles) that "just kept going." However, a strong counter-current describes the car a
Owner insights for the 4th generation Jetta. Read the full 4th generation owner report.
Used Jetta listings typically run $13,145–$24,195 across 2012 to 2026 model years.
Compare every Jetta year side by side to see how 1998 ranks against the rest.